Until a few weeks ago, the 18-year- old had never had a paying job, and he spent the previous summer playing basketball. But with plans to enroll at the University of San Francisco this fall, Davis said he needed money, so he applied for jobs early and landed a position at Bakers Shoes in Northgate Mall.

"Everyone wants money in the summer, and everyone is looking," Davis said. "And what's cool about it is after I go to college, I can come back and work during the (holiday) breaks."

School doesn't end for a few more weeks, but teenagers should be looking now for summer work, employers say. A record low unemployment rate in Washington also could mean there will be more opportunities for summer work for teens, economists said.

However, with the highest minimum wage in the country -- $7.93 an hour -- employers in Washington also can be choosy, and many will lean toward hiring college-age students or those even older before giving high school youths a shot, said David Wallace, a state Employment Security Department economist.

In fact, although McDonald's will hire someone who is 14, the average age for crew workers at its restaurants in Washington is 27.

"We are looking for high-caliber candidates, and we appreciate and encourage a diversified work force. We have opportunities for everyone," said Kelly Hoyman, marketing director for McDonald's USA Northwest Region.

Hoyman said the company allows candidates to apply for jobs online; the pay for a crew worker is $7.93 to $9.48 an hour.

Wallace said employment for high-school students began to wane in 2000, when lawmakers tied the state's minimum wage to the consumer price index.

"From that period on, the minimum wage has been one of the highest in the country," Wallace said. "If you pay minimum wage and you have a 15-year-old or a 20-year-old, you are probably going to hire the 20-year- old."

Employment Security statistics show the participation rate -- those working or looking for work -- of 16- to 19-year-olds was just less than 51 percent last summer -- the average of June, July and August. That figure is slightly better than the previous two years, but well below the nearly 60 percent mark of summer 2000.

Dick Conway, a Seattle economist, said the region's low unemployment rate, which in King County was 3.5 percent last month, might force employers to hire younger workers.

"Employment opportunities in King County are better than elsewhere in the country," Conway said. "With a tight labor market and demand for jobs, that should present opportunities."

Many companies with local headquarters or that have a major presence here say they are accepting applications for summer work. But some employers, such as the Seattle Mariners, said they hire summer help in the spring and all their positions for teenagers are filled.

Those hiring high school students under 18 include Starbucks, Nordstrom, Fred Meyer and McDonald's. Companies that prefer or require an employee to be at least 18 include Costco, Macy's, Eddie Bauer and Jones Soda. Youth Force, a Seattle-based non-profit, said it can assist teens in finding work, and it has job postings on its Web site: teenjobs.org.

Damaris Pearson, a career specialist at Franklin High School in Seattle, said there are plenty of fast-food, grocery store and movie-theater jobs for teens. But, she warned, the competition is stiff.

"It's late, and you might be looking for a while. You need to start in February or March," Pearson said.

Pearson said students unable to land a job should become entrepreneurs and mow lawns or walk dogs.

"If you are creative, you can get things done," she said.

Arianna Toussaint, a 17-year- old who this week was elected Franklin's student body vice president for 2007-08, said she learned her lesson last year and applied for summer jobs earlier this spring. Already, Toussaint said, she's had a job interview with Starbucks.

"I really hope I get the job, because I need the money in my pocket if I want to go shopping," Toussaint said.

She and other high school students said job applicants need to make a good initial impression, and job seekers should dress nicely even when asking for an application. They also should go prepared with a resume.

A few of the higher-paying summer jobs for teens are with Coca-Cola Enterprises, which pays $13.42 an hour for a merchandiser, who puts drinks on the shelves in retail stores and fills store coolers.

A 17-year-old could land that job, said Jim Apostolos, a human resources director for Coca-Cola Enterprises. But a person must be 18 to work in Coke's warehouses, where the pay is $13.38 an hour, he said.

"We are looking throughout the summer," Apostolos said. "You are busy the whole time. There is no down time. We want people who are dedicated, have a strong work ethic and come to work."

Nordstrom, with six stores in the greater Seattle area, said it hires mostly college-age students for the summer, but high school students are hired to stock clothing. The starting wage is $9.50 an hour.

Fred Meyer hires 16-year- olds as courtesy clerks, and 18- year-olds can work as cashiers or sales clerks.

Jones Soda, which last week secured the rights to sell drinks at Seahawks games, is looking for a few interns, who are paid $10 an hour.

"The goal of the internship is to not only learn about a lifestyle brand, but the realities of what a career in marketing is all about," said Clare Bowles, marketing coordinator for Jones Soda.

Nicole Scales, director of talent, management and employment at Macy's, said the retailer typically doesn't hire anyone younger than 18 except during holidays, when 17-year-olds are hired. Scales said Macy's likes to hire college students for the summer because they can transfer the skills they learn to stores near their campuses. And, she said, college employees can move into the internship program, which prepares people for full-time employment after graduation.

Stacey Phillips, manager at Bakers in Northgate Mall, said she likes to hire graduating high school seniors for the summer because they tend to come back and work during the holidays. She also said she's willing to take a chance on someone such as Davis, the Ballard High student.

"Someone who hasn't had a job like Riley but is going to school and has goals and wants to make money is the best kind of hire," Phillips said. "They don't have bad habits, and you can train them up."